Robert Levin Named As New Chairman of CRA
For Immediate Release Contact Glynn Loope
Official Statement 202.469.3444
June 03, 2014 [email protected]
WASHINGTON DC – Today, Cigar Rights of America has named Robert Levin, President of Ashton Distributors and the Holt’s Cigar Company of Philadelphia, as the new Chairman of the Cigar Rights of America Board of Directors. Levin succeeds Jeff Borysiewicz, President of Corona Cigar Company, who recently “passed the baton” in order to spend more time with family, harvesting his first crop of Florida tobacco and his network of shops in Orlando, Florida.
Levin previously served as chairman of the board for CRA, and returns at a crucial time for the premium cigar industry, as it confronts impending federal regulations, announced on April 25. Levin, in accepting the chairmanship stated, “It is imperative that the premium cigar industry work toward a complete exemption for this class of tobacco products. We will be working hard to convey our message in Washington, through the current public comment period, to get our message across that premium handmade cigars are unique, and not what Congress intended with the Tobacco Control Act.”
Levin went on to add that “We sincerely thank Jeff for his hard work for the last four years. We would not be having the discussion of an exemption for premium cigars were it not for the legislative efforts of Jeff and the CRA staff and team of advocates. Jeff will remain active with our advocacy and legislative efforts, offering his expertise and passion for the premium cigar industry.”
In additional action at this week’s meeting of the CRA Board of Directors, the group endorsed what is known as “Option 2” within the Deeming Regulations issued by the FDA forty days ago. This passage would work toward an exemption for premium cigars, that meet a definition developed by the FDA. This includes cigars that are: Wrapped in all natural tobacco; Contain a 100% leaf tobacco binder; Contains primarily long-filler tobacco; Is made by combining manually the wrapper, filler and binder; Has no filter, tip or non-tobacco mouthpiece and is capped by hand; and does not have a characterizing flavor other than tobacco.
The CRA board does not support any price point component as a factor in defining a premium cigar.
CRA will be working with other industry allies on developing complete comments addressing over seventy items within the FDA deeming regulations.
Glynn Loope, Executive Director of CRA added, “It is imperative that each individual that has a passion for great cigars provide their comments to FDA, as to why premium cigars should not be regulated.”
CRA has provided suggested speaking points and a direct link to the FDA site, at http://cigarrights.org/fda-response.php
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